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Best Bed Alarms for Elderly and Seniors

Falls can lead to injuries and even fatality. A lot of falls happened when patients and seniors try to get out of their bed. The caregivers need a way of monitoring them well and prevent falls.

best bed alarm

The bed alarms can be a piece of reliable equipment to alert the caregiver when the individual need assistance. It is especially helpful for people with dementia. Here we have more information on how to choose the best bed alarms.

Our Picks for Best Bed Alarms

If you are in a hurry, you can start your own research by investigating these 3 alarms we picked in the table below.

Best Overall
Smart Caregiver Wireless and Cordless Weight Sensing...
Budget Option
Basic Pull String Alarm for Fall Prevention and...
String Type Option
Secure Magnet Pull Cord Chair or Bed Alarm for Elderly...
Smart Caregiver Wireless and Cordless Weight Sensing...
Basic Pull String Alarm for Fall Prevention and...
Secure Magnet Pull Cord Chair or Bed Alarm for Elderly...
Best Overall
Smart Caregiver Wireless and Cordless Weight Sensing...
Smart Caregiver Wireless and Cordless Weight Sensing...
Budget Option
Basic Pull String Alarm for Fall Prevention and...
Basic Pull String Alarm for Fall Prevention and...
String Type Option
Secure Magnet Pull Cord Chair or Bed Alarm for Elderly...
Secure Magnet Pull Cord Chair or Bed Alarm for Elderly...

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-03-18 at 10:24

What is Bed Alarm System?

The bed alarm is not a usual alarm clock for senior. Instead, it is a combination of a sensor pad or strip and an alarm. The sensor pad can tell if the weight is removed from the pad.

When the individual gets out of bed, the pad will transfer the information to the alarm, and the alarm produces some sound.

The bed alarm is considered a godsend for caregivers or nurses because they are free to do other things without worrying about the patients in the bed.

It works well with a medical alert system together to provide overall protection for your loved ones.

The bed alarm system can be used with people who have vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and any dementia. You can install it both at home and nursing home.

Even though the bed alarm is used, you still need to monitor the patients frequently. It is advised to always put the good walker or walking cane near the bed to give more support for the patient.

Benefits of Using a Bed Alarm for Elderly and Seniors

  • Injury and wandering prevention

Seniors and patients may need someone to help them get out of bed or manual wheelchair but they may forget that they will need an assistant to walk and insist on getting out of the bed alone.

Besides, Six in 10 people with dementia will wander and that is dangerous.  The bed alarm can help the caregiver to get to them in time and provide help, thus preventing injury or falling.

  • Protect privacy

No one wants to be monitored all day long. Seniors in the bed may want some time to stay alone. By using the bed alarm, caregivers can leave the room occasionally and make the patient feel more relaxed.

  • For assistance

Seniors and patients may need to use a bathroom or eat food at midnight which will make them try to get out of the bed.

This will alert the caregiver to offer assistance immediately. For example, transfer the patient from the bed to the wheelchair by using transfer boards or sit to stand lift.

Types of Bed Alarms

There are 3 types of bed alarms available in the market: Pad alarm and String alarm

  • Mattress pad alarm

This type of bed alarm is what you see most in the market. The Mattress pad alarm is a pad put on the mattress which will trigger an alarm when the pressure and weight changed.

  • Floor pad alarm

The mattress pad will cause some false alarm. If you don’t like it, you can consider a floor pad alarm. You can put the pad next to the bed and whenever the seniors get out of the bed and step on the pad, you will receive an alarm.

  • String alarm

The string alarm has a box-shaped unit that has an attached string that you can clip to the clothing of an individual.

The box is mounted to the headboard of the bed. If the individual starts to move out of bed, the connection string to the box will make the alarm sound. However, some patients may try to disconnect the clip and leave the bed by themselves.

What to Consider When Purchasing a Bed Alarm for Elderly

The bed alarms for the seniors vary in features, and it may be a hard task to choose the right alarm if you don’t know some of the features. Here are some of the features that you should understand before buying a bed alarm for your loved one.

  • Number of alarm parts

Two-piece bed alarms have a separate sensor and the alarm units. You don’t need an alarm that will scare the senior or sick person out of bed every time because of its closeness to the bed.

A two-piece alarm is ideal, as it will allow you to place the alarm far from the monitored individual.

  • Wireless or Corded

Wireless alarms are more flexible therefore more popular than corded alarms. You can take the sensor anywhere around the allowed range without connecting wires. A corded alarm may cause some risks for patients.

  • Noise

A bed alarm system with noise control feature would be a better option as it will help you to regulate the intensity of the noise produced by the alarm. You only need a sound that is loud enough for you to hear without disturbing others in the house.

  • Power options

AC power is always available, but sometimes there are outages. An alarm that uses both battery power and AC are better than those running on AC only. This will ensure that you prevent the worst from happening when there is an outage.

  • User preference

Some patients don’t like the feel of putting something under their butt. If this is the case, you’d better choose a bed alarm with a floor mat. Just keep in mind that you should always consider the user’s preference.

Reviews of Best Bed Alarms for Seniors

1. Smart Caregiver Wireless Weight Sensing Bed Pad – 10” x 30” (Monitor or Alarm Included) – Best Overall

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-03-18 at 10:24

This product is one of the best bed alarm systems in the market. It comes with a sensing pad and alarm and it is made by Smart Caregiver. As you know, Smart Caregiver gained a good reputation in this industry.

The caregiver will receive an alert in a few seconds when they get up and all you need to do is just putting the sensor pad under the back of your loved one. 

This alarm can be placed up to 100’ away from the sensor pad so that caregivers can do other things freely and the patient will not feel stressful as well.

The alarm features a switch and three volume settings and the sound is loud.  You will not miss the alarm. It runs on a 3 C batteries which are not included.  This sensor pad has a 1-year guarantee.

Pros

  • It is easy to use for fall prevention.
  • The caregiver will hear the alarm immediately the patient get up.
  • The alarm is wireless and can be placed 100 meters far from the sensor pad.

Cons

  • It may sound too loud.
  • It may delay sounding the alarm.

2. Secure 45BSET-1Y Bed Exit Alarm Set for Fall and Wandering Prevention

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-03-18 at 11:53

The Secure exit bed alarm is another one of the best bed alarms for elderly that you can consider buying. It comes with a bed pad and an alarm monitor.

The best part is that this alarm monitor resets automatically when the individual gets back to the ped. Or you can easily reset it with the 3-push reset button.

The alarm monitor is made from break-resistant ABS plastic and the connecting pin in the sensor pad is made from mental. It even includes a Velcro holder. All of these make this product sturdy and reliable.

The sensor pad is comfortable and ultra-thin, you can easily fold it for storage or when traveling. 2 AAA Batteries has included in the package.

Pros

  • Affordable.
  • The alarm monitor can reset automatically when the individual gets back to bed.
  • The sensor pad is antibacterial and latex free.
  • The metal connecting pin is sturdy.

Cons

  • It has a loud annoying beep.
  • The alarm monitor is bulky.

3. Smart Caregiver Cordless Floor Mat Pressure Pad with Economy Cordless Alarm

No products found.

If the seniors don’t like the bed pad, there is a good alternative: floor mat. This product is a bundle of a cordless floor mat, alarm monitor and 30 Cleaning Wipes and it is one of the best bed alarms in the market.

You only need to prepare 3 “C” batteries or an AC adapter and then you are good to go.

The floor sensor pad is made with high-quality and non-slip material to prevent falling. When the floor mat is stepped, it will send a signal to the wireless monitor which can be placed as far as 300′ feet away.

In this way, you or caregiver can deal with other things freely but the loud alarm will still ensure you can offer assistance for them in time.

Pros

  • The alarm monitor can be used within a radius of 300’ feet.
  • You can reset the floor mat alarm using the switch off on the alarm monitor.
  • The alarm has three volume levels and a switch.

Cons

  • High price.

4. Secure MAG-3 Magnet Pull Cord Alarm for Fall Management and Wandering Prevention

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-03-18 at 10:24

This bed alarm is one of the best string type bed alarm systems for wandering prevention and fall management. It is affordable and sturdy.

The alarm monitor is made of ABS plastic and comes with three volume levels and two alert tones.

The sound is loud, however, it may disturb the patient himself. You may know that people with dementia may try to break the alarm monitor from time to time. This sturdy alarm monitor is break-resistant.

As a string alarm, it can be mounted on a chair or the bed frame.  The circular magnet attached to the monitor can be pulled away from any point. The best part is that it is still quite strong to prevent false alarm happening.

Please remember that it can’t be used on an individual with a pacemaker and the string may cause some risks for patients and seniors.

Pros

  • Affordable.
  • The magnet can pull away from any direction.
  • The alarm monitor is made from ABS plastic which is break-resistant.

Cons

  • Not compatible with someone with a pacemaker.
  • The sound will disturb patients.
  • The string may cause some risks.

5. Vive Wireless Bed Alarm Mat

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-03-18 at 11:53

If you are looking for an affordable bed alarm system, you can go for this one as well. Please note that you have to buy the alarm pager separately. In fact, you can also connect this pad to a call button or a door sensor from the same manufacturer.

The sensor pad is made of latex-free and soft vinyl. It is antibacterial and is sealed for protection from dirt and dust which makes it easy to clean.  It also includes a cordless transmitter to transfer the signal to the alarm pager or the call button.

Want to reset the alarm? You can simply put pressure on the sensor pad or turn off the alarm setting. However, you can only use it within a range of 150’ feet if you buy the alarm pager together.

Pros

  • Affordable.
  • The sensor pad is waterproof and easy to clean.
  • You can use the sensor pad to alarm pager, call button or other devices.
  • It is easy to set up.

Cons

  • The alarm pager is sold separately.
  • Only a range of 150 feet.

6. Basic Pull String Monitor

#Affiliate links.Last update on 2024-03-18 at 10:24

Are you on a budget? You can choose a corded bed alarm and this one is a good option.  This Basic Pull String Monitor is composed of an alarm monitor, a string, a magnet, and a clip.

You can put the clip on the cloth or socks. When the patient wants to exit the bed, the string will pull the magnet out of the alarm monitor and then the alarm will start to sound.

However, the alarm can wake the patient up and in order for the caregiver to hear the sound, they should stay in the room or nearby.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Easy to set up.

Cons

  • The alarm may disturb the patient.
  • The caregiver still needs to stay close.

Conclusion

With a variety of bed alarms available in the market for seniors and caregivers, it may be difficult to choose the perfect one. It is important to understand the pros and cons of each type of system and choose a bed alarm that will offer the individual confidence to live safely.

Cherry is the editor-in-chief of Mobility With Love. She obtained a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and a master's degree in Adapted Physical Activity. Her expertise includes biomechanics, biochemistry, nutrition, disability studies, and so on.

1 thought on “Best Bed Alarms for Elderly and Seniors”

  1. Yes, Technology can be really useful for seniors too. These Bed Alarms basically keep us near to them by letting us know about their every move. This is really very helpful for seniors and for those who are taking care of them.

    Reply

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